Tension device



July 3, 1934. E, 1 ABBOT I 1,965,363

I TENSION DEVICE Filed Oct. 28, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2ML/M4622 jg@ jjaya au Z5 51 ai l 235 Z3 c M y f Lla l 35 :1

/7/14r a @join l y M' are @warned/@J July 3, 1934. Eh 1 ABBOTT 1,965,363

TENSION DEVICE Filed Oct. 28. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 In ver2 to?? EdwardA /az Any@ Patented July 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFC TENSIONDEVICE Application October 28, 1930, Serial No. 491,705

14 Claims.

This invention relates to strand tension devices, more particularlytension devices useful in textile apparatus, and has for its objects toprovide Yfor tensioning a strand, (for example of yarn) more delicatelythan heretofore, to provide a device adapted satisfactorily to tensionyarn Vhaving numerous imperfections With-out causing breakage of theyarn as these imperfections are encountered; to provide a tension deviceV having opposed tension elements so arranged as to relieve tension uponthe yarn by movement of one of the tension elements in a pathpredominantly parallel to the path of yarn travel, and to provide adevice which is easy to rethread and from which the strand of yarn mayeasily be removed, for example, in connection with such replenishmentoperations as tying in broken strands.

Other objects of the invention, advantages and structural improvementswill be apparent from the Vexplanation herein of typical species of myinvention, shown in the accompanyingdrawings by Way of example only.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is an elevation of a tension device, according to my invention,mounted on the cover plate of a movable carrier of a Winding machinesuch as is described in my copending application, Serial No. 476,776,filed August 21, 1930;

Fig. 1a is a fragmentary left side elevation of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2d is a right side elevation of the swinging disk of the tensiondevice of Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l showing a modification of the tensiondevice of that gure, certain parts of the device of Fig. 1 being omittedfor clarity of illustration;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig-3;

Fig. 4a'is a diagrammatic view corresponding to Fig. 4, and showing ayarn strand passing between the tension disks;

Fig. 4b is a fragmentary left side elevation of the device of Fig. 3;

Y Fig. 5 is a front elevation of another embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the device of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a right side elevation of the device of Fig. 5.

The illustrated preferred embodiments of my invention make use of theprinciple of applying a compressive and retarding force to a movingstrand in a direction rearwardly inclined toward the line of strandtravel. Such application of 65 the force is preferably attained byvsuitably mounting a tension element (through which the braking action isapplied), to move toward and away from an opposed tension element alonga line having components of motion parallel to and'Y perpendicular tothe opposed tension element and the line of strand travel. By virtue ofthe direction of application of the resultant compressive and retardingforce,v frictional drag of the moving strand on one of the tensionelements is enabled partially to offset the maximum compressive forcewhich the device is capable of applying to the strand. Thus aspreferably constructed and arranged the tension devices of my inventionapply less compression to the moving strand as the frictional drag ofthe yarn increases. In this Way an approximately uniform' tension may beobtained in spite of variations in the frictional characteristics (suchas roughness) of the strand.

Referring to Fig. l, a strand of yarn y is shown as passing in thedirection of the arrow between opposed tension elements in the form ofsheet. metal disks 11 and 12 which apply the requisite` frictionthereto. As shown in Fig. 2, the disk 12l may conveniently be supportedfrom the cover plate 110 of a Winding machine by means of anVoutstanding block 16 anixed to the cover plate and an adjusting bolt 17threaded into block 16 and having a recess 18 in its end adapted toreceive a cylindrical central projecticnlQ on the rear side of thetension disk 12.

Means is provided for forcing the opposed tension disk 11 toward thetension disk 12 and con-A comitantly in a direction predominantlyopposite to the direction of movement of the yarn y. In the form of thedevice shown in Figs. 1 to 4 this result is obtained by constrainingtension disk 11 to movement in an arcuate path such that disk 11 hascomponents of movement parallel to and perpendicular to disk 12, thecomponent of motion parallel to disk 12 and to the line of yarn travelbeing the predominant component so that the plane of the path of themovable disk makes an acute dihedral angle With the plane of the othertension member. For this purpose an arm 28 is pivotally mounted in abushing 29 fast on the cover plate, the free end of the arm 28 beinginserted in a recess at the central projection 19 of tension disk 11.The relation of this arm 28 and its pivotalbearing 29 to the movabletension 105 disk 11 is preferably such that, as shown, the direction ofextent of the arm makes an acute angle with the plane of thestrand-engaging surfacel of the stationary disk 12. A suitable coilspring 31 is preferably provided for yieldingly forcing 110 the arm 28in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 1, and this spring 31 mayconveniently be coiled about the bearing 29 with one of its free ends31a hooked over the arm 28 and with its opposite free end engaged in oneof a plurality of openings 32 in the cover plate. The arrangement of theparts just described is such that a relatively small force, tending toswing the disk 11, results in the application of a larger compressingforce to a yarn strand extending between the opposed disks. The tensionof the spring 31 may be adjusted to suit different yarns and yarn speedsby changing the position of the end 31b of the spring with respect tothe series of holes 32.

As the yarn y passes between the opposed tension disks, the position ofthe movable disk 11 is determined by the opposing actions of thefrictional drag of the yarn upon the disk and the tendency of the spring3l to force the disks together. Thus the disk 11 is capable of moving ina generally arcuate path against the action of the spring when thefrictional drag of the strand on the disk increases. Viewed in aslightly different aspect, frictional drag of the yarn on disk 11 tendsto neutralize the force exerted by the arm 28 and spring 31 on disk 11and hence lessen the compressive force applied by the disk to the movingyarn strand. Thus to a certain degree the frictional characteristics ofthe yarn (such as its roughness) regulate automatically the amount ofcompressive force exerted thereon, increases in roughness of a portionof the strand causing the compressive action of the disk to diminish.With a spring 31 of suitable tension, an approximately constant tensionmay be obtained in the strand even though Various portions of the strandvary considerably in their frictional characteristics. Likewise thecondition of the face of disk 11 as regards coefcient of friction isautomatically compensated for by the capability of the device toincrease transverse compressive force on vthe strand in accordance withdiminution of frictional drag on disk 11.

The direction of movement of the disk 11, name- 'ly, predominantlyvparallel to the line of yarn travel, enables the tension disks toaccommodate permissible imperfections in the yarn without breakage, asmall imperfection in the yarn, upon being frictionally engaged betweenthe disks 11 and 12, drags disk 11 a sufcient distance slightly torotate arm 28 and thus to allow disk 11 to separate slightly from disk12 and permit the imperfection to pass between the disks Without suchexcessive friction as would break the yarn. Preferably, as shown inFigs. 1 and. 2 the disks 11 and 12 are provided with peripheral angeswhich are rounded into the friction surfaces of the disks to provide athroat through which yarn imperfections. are guided between the disks,thus avoiding the breakage of the strand by short hard imperfectionstherein striking sharply against edge surfaces of the disks. The movingparts of the device are preferably of light weight so as to have butlittle inertia. The bolt 17 may conveniently serve to adjust the disk 12with respect to the path of disk 11, to accommodate various yarns oryarn speeds.

In themodified form of device of Figs. 3 and 4, the opposed tensiondisks 11a and 122L are preferably substantially identical, each beingprovided near its center with an annular flange 19a. The annular flange19a of the stationary disk 12 is preferably engaged by a supporting wire16a of which one end is looped around this annular flange and of whichthe other end is adjustably engaged by a clamping screw 20 on the coverplate 110.

The annular flange 192L of the swinging disk 1l is suitable to beengaged by a ball 28a which is preferably provided on the free end ofthe pivotally mounted arm 28. This arrangement permits disk 11auniversally to tilt with respect to disk 12e. Fig. 4EL illustrates themanner in which the swinging disk 11a may tilt to accommodate a strandof yarn y passing between the disks at one side of their centers. Theswinging disk 11a is in addition capable of tilting with respect to thearm 28 to maintain approximate parallelism with the disk 12e for varioussizes of yarn, or during the passage of yarn imperfections.

Tension devices such as described are intended to be capable of use onmachines which are subject to considerable vibration set up by therotating parts which serve to drive the yarn. In order to prevent thisvibration from interfering with the evenness of tension applied to theyarn, (for instance by setting up vibration of the arm 28 and disk 11aabout the pivot point of the arm), this arm 28 is preferably extended tothe opposite side of its pivot point, as indicated at 28b and eitheralone, or with the addition of a suitable adjustable weight 28,constitutes a mass which balances the tension disk 11a and the arm 28about the pivot point of this arm. This has the effect of suppressingvibrations which would ordinarily be imparted to the arm and disk bywinding mau chinery in which the tension device is used.

Preferably one of the tension disks of each of the above describeddevices is provided with an opening to permit the exit of lint, y or thelike, from between the disks. In the device of Figs. l, 2 and 2e, threesuch openings 35 (Fig. 2a) are shown as provided in the swinging disk11, while in the device of Figs. 3, 4, 4a, and 4b, therelativelystationary disk 12a is shown as provided with a single opening aincluded within the annular ange 19a. It will be understood that theabovedescribed swinging disks ll and 11a are adapted to be rotated bypassage of the yarn y and are preferably caused thus to rotate bypassing the yarn between the disks at a distance from the centers of thedisks. This rotation of the disks has the effect of causing lint, y andthe like, to leave the device by passing through one of the openings 35or 35a, or by working radially outward to the periphery of the disks.

For guiding the yarn strand y with respect to the tension disks, thedevices are shown (Figs. l, 1a and 4b) as provided with a pair ofoppositely disposed wires 96 and 9'? having their ends set into blocks98 and 99 affixed to the cover plate 110 by nuts 98a and 99e anddefining projecting angles in the line of yarn travel. In Fig. 3, thesewires are omitted for clarity of illustration. The

intermediate portions of the wires are shown as 1,.:

bent outwardly in the form of wings, each comprising a double width ofWire and collectively defining a V-shaped guide or troughlike channelfor centering yarn engaged thereby. The lower ends of the two guidewires 96 and 97 lie close together (Fig. 1) and parallel at a pointdirectly in front of the opposed tension disks, and from this pointextend to the block 99 and together define a generally vertical entrancefor properly centered yarn passing between the tension disks. j

The upper end portions of the two wires 96 and 97 likewise convergesomewhat above the tension device and extend horizontally to the block98, thus defining between them a passage for the yarn leaving thetension device at block 98.

'out of the device.

I The above described arrangement of the guide wires is such that yarnlaid indiscriminately across either of the wing portions of the wireswill be caused by the pull of a yarn-using device (for example arotating yarnpackage onto which the yarn is winding) to be diverted tothe central channel defined by the end portions of the wires, and thenbetween the opposed vertical tension disks. My copending application,Serial No. 476,77 6 entitled Machine and method for preparing yarnpackages, filed August 21, 1930, discloses the above described tensiondevice and strand guides associated with a rapidly traversing eyepositioned for laying the yarn on a rotating package in quick-pitchspirals, in which use the traverse eye may contribute to or may furnishthe pull exerted on the yarn while the latter is being guided into thecentral channel of the guide wires.

The guide wires 96 and 97 just described arel advantageously used toconvey the yarn strand y between opposed slub-catching, detecting orbreaking elements. The device of Fig. 1 is shown as provided with a slubcatcher constructed, for example, according to the invention of mycopending application, Serial No. 484,993, led September 29, 1930,entitled Slub detector, catcher or breaker now Patent No. 1,905,259,dated April 25, 1933 (and disclosed also in my copending applicationSerial No. 476,776, filed August 21, 1930, for Machine and method forpreparing yarn packages). Referring to Figs. 1 and 1a, the slub catcherpreferably comprises front and rear blades 130 and 131 respectivelyhaving transversely bent portions 130a and 131e, which define betweenthem a yarn-receiving throat which is long in the direction of travel ofthe yarn and through which the yarn is shown as passing in Fig. 1. Tofacilitate insertion of the yarn strand y in the throat of the slubcatcher after the guide wires 96 and 97 have brought the yarn strandapproximately to the central plane, the end portions of the opposedblades are preferably flared outwardly, as indicated at 130b and 131b.

The relation of the two blocks 98 and 99 to the centers of the tensiondisks is preferably, as shown, such that yarn y passing over theseblocks, as shown in Figs. la and 4b, is guided between the disks along aline to one side of the centers of the disks so that the yarn strand hasless than the maximum length of contact with the disks. Obviously, yarnpassing between the disks along such path encounters somewhat lessresistance than in passing diametrically across 'each disk. Therotatable mounting of one or both of the tension disks, as in preferredform of my invention, also contributes to this result. In traversing apath removed from the center of rotation of the rotatable disk (forinstance vdisk 11a), the yarn strand is able to rotate the disk thus toreduce the friction encountered by the strand. On the other hand, astrand of yarn passing diametrically across the center of the rotatabledisk is ineffective to rotate the disk and is subjected to greaterfriction. Accordingly the tension disks by applying greater friction tothe strand in the event that the strand approaches the center of thedisks resist any tendency of the yarn to pass the center of the disksand whip However, the yarn strand may when desired be inserted betweenor removed from the disks from the opposite side of the disks. Thefeature of the tension elements securely holding the yarn strand inplace is of .particular utility in enabling the device effectively ,totension yarn being rapidly unwound over the end of a bobbin, in whichcase a large and rapidly moving balloon is formed tending to whip theyarn strand out of the device.

The path of the swinging disk 1la with respect to the relativelystationary disk 12a is preferably rendered adjustable by forming thelower end 2,9a (Fig. 4) of bushing 29 eccentric with relation to thehole in the bushing in which arm 28 is pivotally mounted. Thus byloosening nut 29b which secures bushing 29 to the cover plate 110, andturning the bushing, the path of disk 11LL may be caused to approach orrecede from disk 12a.

The modified form of tension device of Figs'. 5, 6 and 7, employs aswinging arm 128, and a movable disk 111 corresponding in generalfunction to the arm 28 and diskll of the device of Figs. 1 and 2. Inthis modified form of device, gravity is utilized (in place of thespring previously described) to provide a restoring force effective toswing the movable disk into frictional engagement with the moving yarny. Referring to Fig. 5, the bearing 129a within which the arm 128 ispivotally mounted is afxed to a plate 112a comprising one of the tensionelements, at a point somewhat above the line of yarn travel and at aninclination to the plate 112a such that downward swinging of the arm 128and disk 111 causes the disk 111 to approach the plate 1129. As in theabove-described embodiments ofthe invention the movement of the tensiondisk 111 is in a pathhaving components parallel to and alsoperpendicular to the line of yarn travel, the component of movementparallel to the line of yarn travel being predominant.

Referring to Fig. 5 the yarn y is shown as passing through a guide eye99b and thence across the tension plate 112@- in the direction of thearrow. While the full line positions of the arm 128 and theV disk 111show these parts in their normal relation to the yarn, frictional dragofthe yarn y upon the disk 111 caused by movement of the yarn, and to agreater extent by the occurrence of enlargements in the yarn, tends toswing the disk 111 from its full line position in Fig. 5 toward thedotted line position in Fig. 5 against the action of gravity. The extentto which disk 111 and arm 128 move depends upon the speed of the yarn,the yarn diameter and the size of enlargements in the yarn. As the disk111 is thus raised, the path of movement of the ball 128a on the end ofthe arm 128 is such as to permit the disk 111 to be moved away from thetension plate 112a as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. Where the tension plate112 is mounted in a vertical position as shown, the disk 111, upon beingraised by the arm, will rest against the plate 112e at the upper part ofthe disk as shown in Fig. 7, thus permitting yarn imperfections to passthrough the tension device. However, the force of gravity constantlytends to swing the arm 128 and disk 111 in a clockwise direction asviewed in Fig. 5, sothat tension is continuously applied to the movingyarn. Preferably,Vv as shown in Fig. 5, the arm 128 and disk 111 are soarranged with respect to the tension plate 112a that in the normalrunning position, the yarn y passes between the disk 111 and the plate112a at a point somewhat removed frorn the center of the tension disk.With this arrangement the disk may rotate about the ball 1283L under theinfluence of the moving arm, this movement constantly presenting freshportions of the tension disk to the yarn.

All of the tension devices disclosed herein present the advantage ofoffering much more resistance to movement; of the yarn in a reversedirection than to such movement in the forward intended direction. Thusthe movable tension element of the present device tends to approach theopposed tension element and clamp the yarn strand positively againstbackward movement upon stoppage of winding, thus to prevent sagging ofthe strand in rear of the device. On the other hand the ease with whichthe movable tension element is caused to diverge from the opposedelement upon forward motion of the strand, permits a light and delicatetension to be applied to the forwardly moving yarn strand.

While I have hereinabove made reference to a yarnl as the strand whichis tensioned by engagement with the devices herein disclosed, I wish itto be understood that this term has been used merely for convenience andwithout any intention of restricting the use of theimproved tensiondevices to spun yarns, orv in fact to any specific strand or material.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purposeof illustration only and that this invention includes all modificationsand equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. Strand tension device adapted to tension moving yarn comprising apair of tension elements affording opposed friction surfaces, one atleast of said tension elements being bodily l movable with reference tothe other, and means, I including an arm operatively connected with saidmovable tension element and pivotally mounted above said latter tensionelement about an axis inclined with respect tov the friction surface ofthe other tension element, for yieldingly urging said movable tensionelement toward the other tension element against the frictional drag ofthe strand.

2.- A tension disk having an annular flange on its re'ar side near itsmiddle located about a hole through the disk, in combination with meansengaging the exterior of said annular flange for mounting said disk.-

3. Tension device comprising a member dening' a strand-engaging frictionsurface, a

movabl'e tension disk cooperating therewith to tension a strand, and amovably mounted arm for preventing said disk from moving directly awayfrom the said member in a direction perpendicular thereto, whilepermitting separation of the' disk'from said member by'movement in anarcuate path having its major component of motion parallel to the pathof the strand over the other member, under frictional drag of thestrand.

4. Strand tension means having a normally lfiX'ed tension element, arelatively movable tension element, andV means for supporting themovable tensionelement comprising an arm pivoted to swing about a nxedaxis, the arm normally extending from its axis in a direction making anacute angle with the strand-engaging surface of the fixed tensionelement, and means providingl a universal joint connection between saidmovable tension element and the end of its supportigarm.

5. Tension device comprising a member affording' an approximately planesurface for engaging a strand, a tension disk adapted to cooperate withsaid strand-'engaging surface, a member for supporting the disk, apivotal mounting means for pivotally mounting said supporting memberabout an axis located to permit said disk to swing through a pathconvergent with said surface, and means for adjusting said axis to alterthe path of said disk.

6. Tension device comprising opposed relatively movable tensionelements, means for yieldingly forcing said elements together to engagestrand moving therebetween, one of said elements being mounted forrotation under the influence of the moving strand, and strand guidingmeans for defining a path of strand travel at one side of the center ofrotation of the rotatable tension element, and for preventing the strandfrom moving out from between the tension elements at said side of thecenter of rotation, the device being arranged to permit the lateralinsertion of a strand between said tension elements from the oppositeside of said center of rotation.

'7. Tension device comprising opposed relatively movable tensionelements, means for yieldingly forcing said elements together to engagea strand moving therebetween, means for mounting one of said tensionelements for universal tilting with respect to the other element, andstrand guiding means for defining a path of strand travel at one side ofthe center of tilting of said tilting member and for preventing thestrand from moving out from between the tension elements at said side ofthe center of tilting,'the parts of the device being arranged to permitthe lateral insertion of a strand between said tension elements from theopposite side of said center of tilting.

8. Strand tension device comprising a pair of relatively movableelements affording opposed friction surfaces across which the strand isadapted to travel, one of said elements having an opening for the exitfrom between the friction surface of lint, 4ily and the like, and meansfor constraining one of the elements to move in a path converging withthe friction surface of the other element and for yieldingly urging italong said path in a direction generally opposite to the direction ofmovement of the strand over the other element.

9` Strand tension device comprising a pair of relatively movableelements affording opposed friction surfaces across which the strand isadapted to travel, one of said elements having an opening for the exitfrom between the friction surfaces of lint, ily and the like, means formounting one of the said elements forV rotary movement under theinfluence of the moving strand, and means for constraining one of theelements to move in a path converging with the friction surface of theother element, and for yieldingly urging it along said path in adirection generally opposite to the direction of movement of the strand.

10. Strand tension device comprising a pair of relatively movableelements affording opposed friction surfaces across which the strand isadapted to travel, means for mounting one of the said elements forrotary movement under the influence of the moving strand, said rotatablymounted member having a plurality of openings for the exit from betweenthe friction surfaces of lint, ily and the like, and means forconstraining said rotatably mounted member to move in a path convergingwith the friction surface of the other element and for yieldingly urgingit along said path in a direction generally opposite to the direction ofmovement of the' strand.

11. Tension device comprising tension elements affording opposedstrand-engaging surfaces between whicha strand is adapted to move incontact therewith, a rotatable connection for at least one of saidelements permitting rotation of its strand-engaging surface in the planeof the strand travel, and means for causing one of said elements toapproach the others on a line which makes an acute angle With the planeof travel of the strand over said other surface.

l2. Strand tension device comprising a pair of tension elements aordingopposed friction surfaces between which the strand travels, and meansfor yieldingly causing one of said elements to swing in a path having amajor component parallel to and in the opposite direction from themovement of the strand over the other element and having a smallercomponent approaching the strand at right angles thereto.

13. Strand tension device comprising a pair of tension elementsaffording opposed friction surfaces between which the strand travels, astationary mounting for one of the elements, means including a rotatablearm connected to the second element for causing said second element toswing toward the rst element, the arm being mounted to provide an arc oftravel having a major component parallel to and in the oppositedirection from the movement of the strand over the rst element and asmaller component approaching the strand at right angles thereto.

14. Strand tension device comprising a pair of tension elementsaffording opposed friction surfaces between which the strand is adaptedto travel and means for yieldingly causing one of said elements to swingin a path having a. major component parallel to and in the oppositedirection from the movementof the strand over the other element andhaving a smaller component approaching the strand at right anglesthereto, said means including a rotatable arm carrying said swingingelement, the rotatable arm being pivoted above said other element.

EDWARD J. ABBOTT.

